I noticed that Cedric Hunter got an invite. If he were 22 and had the year he had at Mississippi, people would be salivating. Being 26, it seems that no one has him on even fourth outfielder radar. Would it be completely unprecedented for someone his age to burst on the scene at 26 and be an above average major league hitter? Just never see his name mentioned as people toss around less than optimal LF options.
Nion-roster invitees announced; Ruiz, Hunter, Mallex included
- Thread starter rico43
- Start date
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
Above average might be a stretch, but with a good spring I could see him on the radar as a contributor. Good to see him invited to camp. He had a nice year in Mississippi.
MadduxFanII
Swallowed by Mark Bowman
Fredi also said he was leaning toward batting Johnson or Gomes clean-up against lefties, which is a sentence fragment you hear broadcast for eternity over the PA system in Hell.
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
Well said.
dak
Well-known member
DOB's full interview with Fredi linked below. Here's what he said about the offseason direction . . .
"When we sat here shortly after the season ended,” Gonzalez said, “all the Johns — John Hart, John Coppolella, (president) John Schuerholz — all sat there and said there’s three ways we can go with this: We could try to patch together this team. We could blow it up completely. Or we could move some pieces and keep the team competitive and rebuild the farm system, and I think that’s what they’ve done. I think we’ve accomplished that.”
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/ba...itter_2014_braves_sfp#8b10c301.3828699.735634
"When we sat here shortly after the season ended,” Gonzalez said, “all the Johns — John Hart, John Coppolella, (president) John Schuerholz — all sat there and said there’s three ways we can go with this: We could try to patch together this team. We could blow it up completely. Or we could move some pieces and keep the team competitive and rebuild the farm system, and I think that’s what they’ve done. I think we’ve accomplished that.”
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/ba...itter_2014_braves_sfp#8b10c301.3828699.735634
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
I've been probably the biggest supporter of Cedric Hunter on this forum. I believe he's something of a late bloomer that could prove to be starter material in the Majors if given a real shot. But even if not I would be surprised if he doesn't at least provide value as a platoon and bench option in the Majors. It should help him that he can play all three outfield positions too.
That said, I was glad to see he got an spring invite this time around. This time last year he didn't but played late in spring and did well in only a few AB's. He almost hit a homer his first AB last spring. The ball hit on the very back on top of the wall and bounced back into the field of play (line drive shot, ended up a double). I hope to see more of the same this spring.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
That long list seems to be mostly pitchers and catchers too. It only includes two outfielders (Hunter and Smith) and no Pastornicky among others as far as non-catching position players.
stpeteirish
Called Up to the Major Leagues
We've seen enough of guys like Costanza and Pastor; no need to give them a lot of AB's in spring games. Since they've cleared waivers no one else needs to see them in spring training either.
stpeteirish
Called Up to the Major Leagues
probably just a brain fart by Fredi. He's got an invite to ST just like Wandy and Stultz; I think all three will be in the mix.
Stultz is the clear favorite in this derby, IMO.
Millwood1Hitter
Anytime Now Frankie...
I bet the conversation went something like this:
Hart: "Look, Fredi what direction do you think we should take?"
Fredi: "I'm gonna get on my motorcycle and head home."
Hart: "No, the baseball team."
Fredi: "Oh, you mean the Atlanta Braves? Yes I know the Braves....in Atlanta...I know."
Hart: "No, the direction...patch it up or tear it down?"
Fredi: "Can't build without a patch."
Cox sitting in corner thinking "Man that Fredi is something else, always thinking outside the box."
JS: "Alright guys, lets focus here and consider the best option to build a championship caliber team."
Hart: "Look, we're rebuilding. No assumptions here."
JS: "OK there we got it"
JC: "25 percentile chance of winning"
Fredi: "Let's see what they got then."
Bowman sitting outside the room eating his 12th pizza....yells "YES I have reason to believe that Laird or Harang will not be back. More food for me!"
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
It wasn't a complaint, it was simply an observation and I wasn't even thinking of Constanza. But I am not sure he won't get an invite or at least plenty of AB's anyway. I mean given the timing of his DFA and also other considerations. Further, I was thinking more about someone like OF Joe Benson whom some expected to get a spring invite.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman · 6s 7 seconds ago
Add RHP Jose Veras to the list of NRI pitchers the #Braves will bring to camp.
Note: That bring the number up to 33 pitchers and counting invited to Braves spring training.
PS: Building the Braves alumni one pitcher at a time!
dak
Well-known member
This accumulation of RP candidates is pretty intriguing. Jose Veras is not exactly a world-beater, but I'm surprised he would sign with a team that seems to already be loaded down with RP options. Part of me wonders if Hart / Coppy are looking to trade one or more RPs of value (Simmons, Vizcaino) for a bat or a high upside prospect. Certainly not opposed to that plan if it comes to pass.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
The speculation is likely to get back to Kimbrel again in the near future with us continuing to add former closers, at least barring a trade of another reliever soon such as someone like those you named. Then again maybe we'll just move lesser names like Avilan and/or Jaime and replace them with Veras and/or Kohn on the 40-man. Time will tell.
That said, Houston fans seemed sad to see Veras go. One fan said he loved his attitude and a number of them praised his performance there too.
dak
Well-known member
Locks to make pen (assuming Russell is not traded):
Kimbrel
Grilli
Johnson
Outman
Russell
That leaves two spots for the following realistic options:
Simmons (has minor league option)
Vizcaino (has minor league option)
Avilan (has minor league option)
Jaime (out of options)
Veras (minor league deal)
Kohn (minor league deal)
Veal (minor league deal)
Capps (minor league deal)
Gonna be interesting.
Kimbrel
Grilli
Johnson
Outman
Russell
That leaves two spots for the following realistic options:
Simmons (has minor league option)
Vizcaino (has minor league option)
Avilan (has minor league option)
Jaime (out of options)
Veras (minor league deal)
Kohn (minor league deal)
Veal (minor league deal)
Capps (minor league deal)
Gonna be interesting.